Abstract: The invention provides a new and improved process and exothermic reaction mixture for use in the process for producing molten weld metal. The molten weld metal is used in joining one non-ferrous metal piece with at least one other metal piece. The process and exothermic reaction mixture have distinct advantages over the prior art. These advantages include a higher filler metal yield, reduction of odor, and a higher quality corrosion resistant weld. These advantages are accomplished by a process wherein a reactant mixture is provided which has a reducing agent, a filler metal which does not react with any of the compounds of the mixture, and two or more metallic compounds which are exothermically reduced by the reducing agent. The metallic compounds subsequently form a compound, with the reducing agent, having a high heat of formation which provides an exothermic reaction with sufficient heat to melt the filler metal.